Suction cleaner



Sept. 1l, 1951 G. E. Lol-'GREN SUCTION CLEANER Filed April 22, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet l l N VEN TOR.

GUSTAF EINAR LoFGRE/v Ar oR/vfv.

o ma mv R O 0 O l oooooooN mm. om o o o o n f\|\||.). O Onm.w D I 4. o o o o o o o o o f|\\\||I/l O O O O o o 00% o vm, R, ....I H k. E #N @w E .Q nl? BT@ Om.. A N V Nw. .Nm QN wm,

Sept. l1, 1951 Q E, L OFGREN K 2,567,221

SUCTION CLEANER Filed April 22, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet s INVEN TOR.

Wim

Patented Sept. 11, 1951 SUCTION CLEANER Gustaf E. Lofg'ren, Riverside, Conn., assignor to Electrolux Corporation, Old Greenwich, Conn., a corporation of Delaware Application April 22, 1947, Serial No'. 743,113

(Cl. 18S-44) 12 Claims. 1

This invention relates to Suction cleaners and -isparticularly concerned with the problems of dirt disposal, in connection with cleaners in which the dirt is accumulated in receptacles positi'oned within the cleaner casing.

It is vamong the general objects of the invention tol provide a novel, simple and improved cleaner in which the structural features cooperate to provide a device of compact structure, economically manufactured and of improved simplicity in operation.

' lA further object of this invention is to provide a suction cleaner having a dustv receptacle comprising a porous bag provided with a substantially rigid end structure or closure disk, the latter forming a complete seal for the open end f the cleaner and being held in position bya closure member which only partially covers the disk; the closure member simultaneously upon its being closed inserting a dust conveyingv tube through an opening in the disk whereby airborne dust is introduced directly into the porous bag portion of the dust receptacle.

y A further important object of the invention is to provide a device of the character set forth in which automatic means are provided which function in response to variations in cleaning eiciency ofthe device for automatically initiat- -ing an operating cycle by which the dirt receptacle is disposed for convenient removal and replacement by a clean receptacle.

fy Other objects and features of the present invention will lbe apparent from the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation partly broken away showing one form of the invention in a normal .operating position;

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the device in receptacle disposal position; and,

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the device in the position shown in; Fig. 1.

Reference to the accompanying drawings may be had for a consideration of the specific structure here shown by Way of illustrating the inl vventive concept involved. In the drawings numeral. I0 indicates the cleaner housing which is of substantially cylindrical form and is adapted to be horizontally sup-ported on the iioor', rug or suitable surface by spacing means such as casters II or their equivalent. The housing I0 Vis provided. with a vertically disposed apertured bulkhead I2 which divides the housing into a forward motor-fan unit chamber i3' and a rearward dirt separating and accumulating receptacle chamber' I4. Within the chamber I3 there is mounted a motor-ian unit I5 which may be of conventional design and by which air ow forwardly through the housing II) and through the bulkhead I2 is induced. Air thus induced through the housing may be conveniently discharged through the sides of the compartment `I3 through louvers I'G. If, however, it is desired to make use of the air pressure produced by the motor-fan-unitl the air may be discharged through a hose receptacle II at the forward end of the compartment lf3 to which a hose may be applied for directing such air pressure if desired.

The housing IEB is provided with a longitudinally extending air conduit 2G, the forward end of which terminates in a hose receptacle 2l to which may be applied the connector element 22 of the cleaning hose 23. The conduit Z may extend longitudinally through the housing either as a dividing baffle between the external walls of the housing I-' and the compartments I3 and I4 or as a tube extending through these compartments and' through the bulkhead I2.

The rear end of the compartment I 4 has an open end tted with a rabbeted circumferential seat member 25 which is adapted to receive, seat yand seal the edge .flanges of a dirt separating rand accumulating receptacle 26, the structure of which will be hereinafter described.

Mounted wi'thinthe compartment I4 there is provided an apertured receptacle guiding and ysupporting shell I8, the forward end of which is secured to the bulkhead I2, while the oppo- ,ste end is secured as by a flange I9 to the seat member 25.

For delivering dust-laden air from the tube 2i) lto the receptacle 26 there is provided a U-shaped tube 3i! which is mounted within a housing 3| and is supported from the external wall of the housing as at 32 and from the internal wall 33 of the housing through which it extends. Suitable packing is provided as at 34 and 35 for sealing the tube for its connection with the conduit 20 and with respect to the receptacle 2-, respectively. The housing 3| is pivotally connected with the casing I IlV as by means of a pintle 36', a spring 3l being provided to normally bias the housing and tube to the upward opened position shown in Fig. 2. The tube 30 is provided with a lower terminal end 3S which extends inwardly from the wall 33 so as to be inserted within the receptacle 26 when' the housing is in its closed position shown in Fig. 1.

For securing the housing in its lower or closed position with the end 38 of the tubev 30 inserted Within the receptacle 26 there is provided a latch 40, a latching tongue 4| of which is adapted to engage a centrally disposed depending lip 42 of the housing 3|. The latch 40 may be under the control of the operator who may release the housing 3| by depressing the forward end 43 thereof. However, it is preferable to provide for automatic actuation of the latch. Such automatic actuation is accomplished by means of the solenoid 44 which engages the latch as at 45 whereby energization of the solenoid will cause the latch to pivot about its pivotal point 41 centrally of the casing I6, thus depressing the tongue 4I and releasing the lip 42 permitting the spring 31 to raise the housing 3| and the tube 36 to the opened position shown in Fig. 2.

For automatically energizing the solenoid so as to release the tube 3D when the receptacle has retained su-ch quantities of dirt as to reduce the air flow therethrough, thus diminishing the efciency of the cleaning action, there is provided a Sylphon bellows 50 which is subjected to the pressure conditions within the chamber I4 eX- teriorly of the receptacle 26. A switch 5| is provided, the arrangement being such that as air flow is diminished due to clogging of the receptacle and suction is thus increased externally of the receptacle, the Sylphon 50 will respond to close the switch 5I, thus energizing the solenoid 44 whereby the tongue 4| will release the housing and the tube 3U will be withdrawn. If desired, the solenoid may also cause de-energization of the motor-fan unit I5 and if desired, time delay means may be provided so that the release by -energization of the solenoid 44 may be subsequent -to a de-energization of the motor-fan unit. It will be understood that such an arrangement bypasses the normal control of the motor-fan unit by the switch 52. For further consideration of the possible operating arrangements which may be used for releasing the housing 3| reference may be had to the copending application of Ferman C. Doughman, Serial No. 676,318, led June 12, 1946 which discusses the theory of such actuating devices in detail.

The receptacle 26 is preferably of the type Set forth in the copending application of Leon P. Borkoski, Serial No. 641,992 filed January 18, 1945 and comprises a body of flexible porous material and a substantially rigid front end 60, the edges of which extend in flange fashion beyond the walls of the body and are adapted to be seated within the rabbeted recess of the member 25, thus sealing compartment I4. The end 60 is provided with a central aperture through which the end 38 of the tube 3|! projects when the cover is closed, thus insuring the passage of all the air taken in through the hose 23 through the receptacle 26. The aperture of the end 60 of the receptacle is preferably provided with a self-closing means in the form of ilexible sheets which are pushed apart and separated when the end 38 of the tube 36 is inserted and which re-close when the end is withdrawn so as to provide a self-closing receptacle. It is preferable that the receptacle including its end members be made of inexpensive material, such as paper so that the bag may be disposed of when lled without materially increasing the cost of the operation of the device.

It is desirable in the structure of the type set forth to-provide means for automatically unseating the end 66 of the receptacle 26 from the rabbeted aperture in the member 25 when the tube is withdrawn therefrom and to this end there is provided a pair of upstanding actuator arms lspring 66 normally urging the rod 64 towards counter-clockwise rotation. The arm 65 also include an upwardly extending projection 61 which is adapted to be engaged by the lip 42 of the housing 3| in such manner that when the housing is closed the rod 64 is rocked in clockwise direction against the tension of spring 66 and is retained in that position with the arms 6|' extending vertically in slightly spaced relation with respect to the end 66 of the receptacle 26. It will thus be seen that with this arrangement when the housing 3| is released, the lip 42 will move under the tension of spring 31 outwardly from the end 61 of the arms 65, whereupon the spring 66 will cause counter-clockwise rotation of rod 64 and thus the arms 6| will be moved to engage the end 66 of the receptacle 26 to move the receptacle forwardly so as to disengage it from its seat in the member 25, thus breaking the seal established thereby and presenting the receptacle for convenient disposal.

An important feature of the present invention is the arrangement of the side walls of the casing I0 which extend forwardly of the member 25 to form guide surfaces 10 and the lower portion of the casing I6 is extended forwardly to form a similar guide surface 1I. The surfaces 10 and 1I are contiguous with the rabbet of the member 25 so that, when the housing 3| is raised, the side surfaces 1B and the lower surface 1I form a guide channel which receives the rigid end member 60 of the receptacle 26, guiding it into a secure sealing t within the rabbet of the member 25, thus eliminating the difficulties which might be otherwise encountered in securely seating the rigid member 66. This arrangement permits the receptacle 26 to be only partially inserted within the member 25 and thereafter upon pivotal movement of the tube 30 and its housing, the end 38 will enter the receptacle and a further movement thereof will push the end 60 into its seat it being guided in this movement by the surfaces 10 and 1I.

Another advantageous feature of the present arrangement lies in the fact that while the tube 30 is down, the arms 6| do not bear against the end member 60 because of the engagement of the lip 42 with the arm 61, thus relieving tension applied by the spring 66. When the tube is released and raised, the arms 6| pivotally move at once to engage and thrust against the end 60 of the receptacle. However, no time delay device permitting full opening of the tube 30 to position shown in Fig. 2 before thrust is applied to the member 66 is required since, even though the motor is de-energized with the energization of solenoid 44, the receptacle will not move until a diminution of suction as gradually results from cessation of fan operation, permits the energy of spring 66 to overcome the suction.

In the operation of the device with the receptacle inserted and the tube lowered as shown in Fig. 1, energization of the motor-fan unit I5 by actuation of the switch 52 will cause air to be drawn through the hose 23, conduit 20 and tube 30 to be discharged into the receptacle 26 from which clean air may be discharged throughthe louvers I6 or the outlet I1. When the receptacle is so charged with dust, dirt or other foreig'nmatter as to build up a resistance to air iiow that endangers the efficiency of the cleaning operation the Sylphon 50 will be actuated,v thus closing switch 5|. and releasing the tubev and its housing which will move under the tension of spring 311 to the raised position shown in Fig. 2; Such movement of the housing 3| also releases the end 61 `of the arm 65 which will be moved by spring 66 to rock the rod |54y which will cause the arms 6| to move forwardly from their vertical positions behind and in spaced relation to the end 60 of the receptacle 26 to engage the end 66 and move it forwardly betweenthe guide' surfaces 10 and upon the guide surface 'H toa position where it may be readily grasped.

When it is desired to again use the device a new receptacle is inserted, its rigid end 60 being loosely positioned between the guide surfaces 10 and upon the guide4 surface 1| whereupon the tube 3D and its housing 3| is lowered and the tube end 38 is thus inserted through the end 6U which, together with the member 33 of the housing will push the' end 60 for guided movement by the y guide surfaces 10 and 1| Vto insert the end 60 securely Within the rabbetA 25 whereupon the deviceis ready for a further cycle of cleaning operation.

It will be understood from the foregoing de'- scription and the drawings that thev housing 3| ofthe U-shaped tube 3|]v isV of much' lesser width than the width of the rigid end of the dust bag which in turn is of the size and configuration 6;- c'hai'n-ber in said casing adjacent said opening, a dust receptacle comprising a porous bag portion insertable and removable from said chamber through said opening and a rigid end structure permanently secured to said porous bag portion and adapted to close and seal the opening of said casing,- av hose connection at the opposite end of said casing from said opening,l conduit means extending from said connection to the end of said casing adjacent theopening, means for retaining the rigid end structure in closing and sealing position comprisinga member of substantially lessL width than the rigid end structure, a U- shaped tube carried by said member for connecting said conduit means with the interior of said receptacle,- an'd means operable upon releasing oi the mouth of the receptacle compartment.

'Ihus withthe receptacle in position its front face constitutes an exposed surface of the cleaner combination and may thus bear indicia or conforming decorative matter 4combining with the casing'Y to form a cooperating design. Another feature oi this arrangement is that the front surface of the receptacle may be held by hand in `seated relation with the member 25., while the tube 3`||v is lowered. No danger of catching' the fingers while thus holding the front of the' receptacle is involved. The' rigidity of the front of the receptacle is such as to' permit its use' as a sealing closure for the mouth ofl the compartment and avoidsvv the necessity of the full width sealing cover member heretofore used.

It will' be understood, of course, that numerous 'changs and modifications of the' structural ernbo'dix'rient herein presented may be resorted to Without departure from the invention asoutlined by the appended claims.

What I claim is:A

1. In a suction cleaner, a casing havingan opening at one end thereof, a dust rceptacle chamber in said easing adjacent said opening,- a dust receptacle comprising a porous bag portion insertable and removable from said chamber through said opening and a rigid end structure permanently secured to' said porous b'ag portion and adapted to close and seal the opening of said casing, ahose connection at the opposite' end of vsaid casing from said opening, conduit means extending frorn said connection to the end of said casingadjacent the opening, means for retaining the rigid end structure in closing and sealing position comprising a member of substantially less; Width than the rigid end structure, and a U-shaped tube carried by said member for connec'ting said conduit means with the interior ci said receptacle.v

A 2.t In a suction cleaner, a casing having an opening at one end thereof, a dust receptacle the end structure retaining means to move said receptacle outwardly of said chamber.

3. In a suction cleaner, a casing having an opening at one end thereof, a dust receptacle chamber in said casing adjacent said opening, a dust receptacle `comprising a porous bag portion insertable and removablel from said chamber throughsaid opening and a rigid end structure permanently secured to said porous bag portion andadapted to close and seal the opening of said casing, a hose connection at the opposite end of said` casi-ng from said opening, conduit means extending frorn said connection to the end of said casing adjacent the opening, means for retaining the rigid end structure in closing and sealing position comprising a member of substantially dust receptacle comprising a porous bag portion i-nsertable and removable from said chamber through said opening and a rigid end structure permanently secured to said porous bag portion and adapted to close and seal theA opening of said casing, a hose connection at the opposite end of sav-id casing from said opening, conduit means extending Vfrom said connection to the end of said casing adjacent the opening, means for retaining the rigid end structure in closing and sealing 'positioncomprising a member of substantially less width than the rigid end structure, aI U- shaped tube carried by said member for connectingsaid conduit means withthe interior of said receptacle, means adapted to contact said rigid end structure and operable to eject said receptacle outwardly of said chamber, and means operable to restrain said receptacle ejecti-ng means from contacting said rigid end structure while the device is in cleaning position, and additional means operable upon releasing the end structure for releasing,r` the restraining means whereby the ejecting means contacts said end structure and moves the receptacle outwardly of said chamber.

5.` In a suction cleaner, a casing having an opening at one end thereof, a dust receptacle cham-ber in said casing adjacent said opening, a dust receptacle comprising a porous bag portion insertable and removable from saidchamber through said opening and a rigid end structure permanently secured to said porous bag portion and adapted to close and seal the opening of said casing, a hose connection at the opposite end of said casing from said opening, a conduit means extending from said connection to the end of said casing adjacent the opening, means for retaining the rigid end structure in closing and sealing position comprising a member of substantially less width than the rigid end structure, a U- sliaped tube carried by said member for connecting said conduit means with the interior of said receptacle, means adapted to contact said rigid end structure and operable to eject said receptacle outwardly of said chamber, and means operable to restrain said receptacle ejecting means from contacting said rigid end structure while the device is in cleaning position, and additional means voperable upon releasing the end structure for releasing the restraining means whereby the ejecting means contacts said end structure and -moves the receptacle outwardly of said chamber,

and means for releasing the end structure retaining means operable in response to an increase in the amount of dirt in said receptacle.

structure in position to close said opening, said member being smaller than said opening to thereby expose a portion of said end structure, and a conduit carried by said member for delivering dirt-ladened air through said inlet into said receptacle when said member is in clamping position.

7. In a suction cleaner, a rigid casing forming a dust receptacle chamber and having an access opening to said chamber, a porous dust separating and retaining receptacle comprising a porous bag portion insertable into said chamber through said opening and a substantially rigid end structure permanently secured to the bag portion and serving as a closure for said opening, said structure'having an inlet opening into said bag portion, a member pivotally mounted with respect to said casing and pivotal to a position covering a portion of said opening for clamping said end structure in position to close said opening, said member being smaller than said opening to thereby expose a portion of said end structure, means for moving said member away from said opening, releasable means for maintaining said member in clamping position, and a conduit carried by said member for delivering dirt-ladened air through said inlet into s aid receptacle when said member is in clamping position.

8. In a suction cleaner, a rigid casing forming a dust receptacle chamber and having an access opening to said chamber, a porous dust separating and retaining receptacle comprising a porous bag portion insertable into said chamber through said opening and a substantially rigid end structure permanently secured to the bag portion and serving as a closure for said opening, said structure having an inlet opening into said bag portion, a member pivotally mounted with respect to said casing and pivotal to a position covering a portion of said opening for clamping said end structure in position to close said opening, said member being smaller than said opening to thereby expose a portion of said end structure, means for moving said member away from said opening, releasable means-for maintaining saidmember in clamping position, a conduit carried by said member for delivering dirt-ladened air through said inlet into said receptacle when said member is in clamping position, and means responsive to an increase inthe amount of dirt in said receptacle for releasing said releasable means.

9. In a suction cleaner, a rigid casing forming a dust receptacle chamber and having an access opening to said chamber, a porous dust separating and retaining receptacle comprising a porous bag portion insertable into said chamber through said opening anda substantially rigid end structure permanently secured to the bag portion and 'serving as a closure for saidopening', said structure having an inlet opening into said bag portion, a member pivotally mounted with respect to said casing and pivotal to a position covering a portion of said opening for clamping said end structure in position to close said opening, said member being smaller than said opening to thereby expose a portion of said end structure, means for moving said member away from said opening, releasable means for maintaining said member in clamping position, a conduit carried by said member for delivering dirt-ladened. air through said inlet into said receptacle when said member is in clamping position, means for moving said receptacle outwardly vthrough said open'- ing, and means responsive to an increase in the amountl of dirt in said receptacle for releasing said releasable means and for actuating said means for moving said receptacle.

10. In a suction cleaner, a casing having an opening in va substantially vertical plane, a dust receiving receptacle comprising a ilexible porous bag portion and a substantially rigid end structure secured thereto, said end structure extending laterally beyond said bag portion to provide a flange, said receptacle being movable in a substantially horizontal inwardly direction for, inserting said bag portion into said casing through said opening and for seating said ange against the exterior of the portion of said casing bounding said opening, and means for guiding said movement of the receptacle comprising a lower horizontal surface and a pair of vertical side surfaces extending from said casing below and on either side, respectively, of said opening to form a guide channel open at the top and outer end thereof.

11. In a suction cleaner, a casing having an opening in a substantially vertical plane, a dust receiving receptacle comprising a flexible porous bag portion and a substantially rigid endstrucfture secured thereto, said end structure extending rlaterally beyond said bag portion to provide a ange, said receptacle being movable in a substantially horizontal inwardly direction for inserting said bag portion into said casing through said opening and for seating said ange against the exterior of the portion of said casing bounding said opening, a member hinged to said casing and pivotal towards said opening for engaging said end structure to seat and maintain the flange thereof against said exterior portion of the casing, and means for guiding said movement of the receptacle comprising a lower horizontal surface and a pair of vertical side surfaces extending from said casingbelow and on either side.

respectively, of said opening to form a guide channel open at the top and outer end thereof.

12. In a suction cleaner, a casing having an opening in a substantially vertical plane, a dust receiving receptacle comprising a flexible porous bag portion and a substantially rigid end structure secured thereto, said end structure extending laterally beyond said bag portion to provide a flange, said receptacle being movable in a substantially horizontal inwardly direction for inserting said bag portion into said casing through said opening and for seating said ange against the exterior of the portion of said casing bounding said opening, spring biased means engageable with said end structure for moving said receptacle in the opposite direction, said spring being stressable by the inward movement of said receptacle, a member hinged to said casing and pivotal towards said opening for engaging said end structure to seat and maintain the flange thereof against said exterior portion of said casing and to stress said spring, and means for guiding the inward movement of the receptacle comprising a lower horizontal surface and a pair of vertical side surfaces extending from said casing below and on either side, respectively, of said open- 10 ing to form a guide channel open at the top and outer end thereof. y

GUSTAF E. LOFGREN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

vUNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 542,797 Colman July 16, 1895 1,176,721 Zimmer Mar. 21, 1916 1,887,600 Replogle Nov. 15, 1932 1,941,988 Krag Jan. 2, 1934 2,022,250 Lofgren Nov. 26, 1935 2,116,017 Franke May 3, 1938 2,192,224 Forsberg Mar. 5, 1940 2,269,482 Replogle Jan. 13, 1942 2,335,428 Lofgren Nov. 30, 1943 2,376,810 Richardson May 22, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS 'Number Country Date 7,057 Great Britain Mar. 20, 1914 13,591 Great Britain June 7, 1911 20,722 Great Britain Sept. 11, 1912 158,700 Great Britain Feb. 11, 1921 

